M 96

M 96 is an double barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Leo, approximately 35 million light years from Earth. It is about equal in size and mass as our own Milky Way Galaxy.

This faint galaxy was a challenge to image due to our light polluted skies. We were able to collect 21-1/2 hours of luminance detail, and about 3 hours of color data with an FLI ML16200 CCD on our Officina Stellare RiLA 600 telescope.